Center Console Refinish #ll

rigtec

rigtec

New member
Hey Team!

I've had this problem before and so have many others. I've read quite a few threads about how easy it it to scratch the center console. I scratched mine probably the first year that I bought this truck. I tried to ignore it but then I had the BIG IDEA to install two small switches on the console and while doing it, I bored the two holes too large and so the 10mm SPDT push-buttons didn't fit right, so I ended up practically rebuilding the whole center console upper trim panel. I considered just replacing it with a new one found on ebay, but the cost was extraordinarily prohibitive ($460.00 plus), so there went that idea!

Anyway, this time the scratches were just ordinary, but irritating scratches; which in my opinion made the truck look older than it is; 2012 4Runner Blizzard pearl 'Limited' w/14,750 on the clock. I still had a rattle can of 'MET Gunmetal Metallic' left from two years ago when I refinished it before. I snapped a couple of pics to help should you need to redo yours too!:

REMOVING THE UPPER CONSOLE TRIM PANEL
rigtec-albums-riggy-s+workbench-picture27916-all-cell-pix-june-2014-028.jpg~original


DISCONNECTING THE SHORT HARNESS CONNECTORS UNDERNEATH
rigtec-albums-riggy-s+workbench-picture27920-all-cell-pix-june-2014-029.jpg~original


PRESS THE LATCH TO RELEASE THE CONNECTORS ABOVE
rigtec-albums-riggy-s+workbench-picture27922-all-cell-pix-june-2014-030.jpg~original


DON'T FORGET THE SHIFT MODE KNOB
rigtec-albums-riggy-s+workbench-picture27921-all-cell-pix-june-2014-031.jpg~original


GUNMETAL METALLIC ENAMEL
rigtec-albums-riggy-s+workbench-picture27919-20140824-121840-1.jpg~original


THE DISASSEMBLY: Notice that the trim panel has been prep sanded!




FIRST OF FOUR COATS; 15 to 20 mins apart




THE RE-ASSEMBLY






AND... DONE!


The reason that I thought to post this (AGAIN) was because I'm seeing quite a few folks that are experiencing the same thing that I went through; which is a factory finish that's too delicate for a interior (or exterior) usable table surface... even coins left on this console surface will scratch it right through to the black plastic base! So you may want to plan to refinish this more then once if $460 bucks is out-of-the-question to replace over and over again! The refinishing process is very easy, provided you have the time to do it; took me about four hours, but I have two aftermarket switches that I've installed to control the sub-woofer amps, and the wires need to be labeled before disconnecting so as not to cross them up during the re-wire process, so it pays to be very careful when R & R this set-up!

The color Gunmetal Metallic is just a tad darker/richer (IMO) and does match the stock trim on the dash so only you will notice the difference; but not offensive at all! Hope this write-up about painting the trim will be helpful to someone... 'Best to you all',

rig!
 
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So this whole piece is just pried/popped out for removal? then just unplug and its out? no screws other than the lid?
 
Holy (&*^% the plastic in these trucks is way to easy to mar. Which is quite ridiculous considering the multitude of its intended uses.

Looking forward to seeing how this holds up, I imagine it to be pretty durable.

Thanks for the write-up :)
 
Thank you for the detailed post, my scratches are annoying as well.
Does the finish come out smooth or do you need to do a finishing sand?
 
[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION], I just noticed in the fourth picture, the tabs on the cover that stick out that insert into the center console, there's yellow retainer things that clip on the tabs. You're missing one on the bottom of the pic. When you pull the console cover off, these yellow things pop off easily and fall to the bottom.
 
If I could like your write up twice I would. 4th Gen 4Runners also have this problem. When I went looking at used ones a few years ago every one I saw seemed to have the scratches. You'd think they'd have corrected it in the 5th Gen. I have redone three 1st gen 4Runner consoles and I wanted to add a suggestion:

https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-CP199-Adhesion-Promoter-Primer/dp/B0007UAXJQ

61bgHIOkDoL._SL1500_.jpg


Don't get it from Amazon. It's only about $6 at Autozone. I've painted without it and using it helps adhesion a lot. (Sorry about the actual size photo)
 
jrandom said:
Holy (&*^% the plastic in these trucks is way to easy to mar. Which is quite ridiculous considering the multitude of its intended uses.
Click to expand...

Hi jrandom,

It does scratch incredibly easily; this is my second time doing the refinish work, which is the reason that I chose to write about it! I think that a body shop could do a much better job by using additives with resins and hardeners... but the price would increase exponentially! This way the price is still $5, $6 bucks and I don't really mind doing a little work to save a few $$$!

rig, cheers
 
TrailPJ said:
Thank you for the detailed post, my scratches are annoying as well.
Does the finish come out smooth or do you need to do a finishing sand?
Click to expand...

It's not like glass but it's as smooth as the original finish! ...and I believe the last refin lasted more than a yr!
 
Spokanesteve said:
So what do those two switches control?????

Did you put a gloss clear coat on?

Cheers, Steve.
Click to expand...

No clear coat, just about 3 or 4 thin coats of 'Dupli-color'! And the two switches enable me to isolate the subwoofer amps. There are times that you'll need to listen to one amp at a time, like say you hear a buzz or crackling sound coming through one of the amps, or perhaps one of the amps is dropping out but you can't tell which one it is... the kill switches enable you to isolate each one at a time to help find the problem!

Cheers!
 
jrandom said:
Looking forward to seeing how this holds up, I imagine it to be pretty durable.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about this as well. [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION], you say this was your second time refinishing this piece. How would you say the durability of your paint job stacks up to the factory's?

Also, I've never gone crazy over Plasti Dip beyond experimenting with new colors, but I've considered using it in this exact application. It would require NO sanding and with a PD Glossifier, I'd imagine it would clean well and be durable enough to resist the constant scratching. I suppose you would, however, be limited to PD's available colors.
 
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jtc44 said:
I'm curious about this as well. [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION], you say this was your second time refinishing this piece. How would you say the durability of your paint job stacks up to the factory's?
Click to expand...

Hi jtc,

I 'wouldn't say' that the 'Dupli*Color' holds up better than the factory finish. I discovered Dupli*Color after I fuk'd my console up when I was first trying to install those two push-button ON/OFF switches in the console (holes were too big); once I did that I was desperate! So I found a way to fill the two holes... I used 'JB-Weld Epoxy' to fill the holes; dried over night. The next morning I had to file and sand the excess flat. And then I was experimenting with a few different colors to match the rest of the upper console e.g., HU, temp control area, shift mode knob... and the Gunmetal MET looked the very best to me; that's how I thought to use Dupli*color!

I liked it so much I used it to do my Wheel center caps; the gold emblem is
dupli*color too:







...and then I had to bring it all together with the gold 'wheat' underline lol! :artist2:


'Just havin' a little fun! 'Best to you',

rig
 
jtc44 said:
Right on Rig, that's what it's all about right? Great job, always enjoy your write-ups [emoji106]
Click to expand...

Thanks jtc,

This is one of the greatest forum communities in the entire world; just so honored to be privileged enough to share some of my ideas with each one! 'Best to you all',

rig
 
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